FAQ

The iWISE Olympiad is open to creative students from all over the world, aged 10 to 24 years old. 

Eligibility Details

• Age: Participants must be between 10 and 24 years old. The competition is divided into specific age divisions:
  • 10–11 years old
  • 12–15 years old
  • 16–19 years old
  • 20–24 years old
• Categories: Participants can submit innovative projects in various categories, including Art, Talent, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Robotics, iTECH and English.
• Qualification: To participate in the Global Final, participants must first have received a medal (Gold, Silver, or Bronze) in one of the iWISE Qualification Rounds (Virtual, National, or Regional Finals).
• Supervision: Participants under the age of 16 who travel to the physical Global Final venue must be supervised by an adult.

The iWISE Olympiad aims to provide a global platform for students to showcase their innovative ideas and abilities across various disciplines.

Working on a project can lead to substantial personal and professional growth: 

• Skill Development: Projects allow individuals to learn new technical skills as well as “soft” skills like communication, leadership, problem-solving, time management, and conflict resolution.
• Experience and Knowledge Gain: By applying knowledge in a practical setting, you gain valuable experience that can be leveraged in future endeavors.
• Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a project and seeing a tangible result can provide a significant sense of pride, satisfaction, and increased self-confidence.
• Career Advancement: Demonstrating the ability to manage and deliver projects successfully makes an individual a valuable asset, potentially leading to promotions and new opportunities.

Making a project a team offers numerous benefits, including increased productivity through task division, improved creativity and innovation by leveraging diverse perspectives, faster and more effective problem-solving by pooling knowledge, and better risk management with collective oversight. It also boosts team morale and motivation by fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose, while enhancing communication and collaboration among members. 

• Increased Productivity and Efficiency: By dividing tasks based on individual strengths and expertise, teams can complete work faster and more efficiently, reducing wasted time and effort.
• Better Problem Solving: Teams can more effectively tackle complex problems by pooling the collective knowledge, skills, and experiences of their members. Diverse viewpoints help in analyzing issues from multiple angles and developing comprehensive solutions.
• Improved Decision Making: Collaboration allows for different perspectives to be considered, leading to more informed, well-rounded, and balanced decisions, and ultimately better project outcomes.
• Higher Quality Work: Team members can review each other’s work and provide constructive feedback, leading to better quality control and ensuring projects are completed to a high standard.
• Effective Risk Management: With more people involved, it is easier to identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them before they become major problems.

Determining if a chemical is hazardous primarily involves checking the product’s label and its associated Safety Data Sheet (SDS). These resources use standardized information to communicate potential risks. 

1. Check the Product Label

The label is your first and quickest source of information. Most standardized systems (like the OSHA-mandated GHS in the US) use specific elements: 

• Pictograms (Hazard Symbols): These are graphic symbols within a red diamond border that alert you to the presence of a hazard. Common symbols include:
  • Flame: Flammable, pyrophoric (catches fire spontaneously in air), self-heating, or releases flammable gas.
  • Skull and Crossbones: Indicates acute toxicity (can cause damage or death even in low doses).
  • Corrosion: Causes severe skin burns, eye damage, or is corrosive to metals.
  • Exploding Bomb: May explode, is self-reactive, or an organic peroxide.
  • Flame over Circle: Oxidizer (can cause or intensify a fire/explosion).
  • Gas Cylinder: Gas under pressure (may explode if heated or cause cold burns).
  • Health Hazard (person with starburst in chest): Carcinogen (cancer-causing), respiratory sensitizer, or causes long-term organ damage.
  • Exclamation Mark: Irritant (skin or eye), causes less severe health effects, or is a hazard to the ozone layer.
  • Environment (dead tree and fish): Poses an ecotoxicity risk (damages the environment).
• Signal Word: Either “Danger” (for more severe hazards) or “Warning” (for less severe hazards).
• Hazard Statement: A short, plain language phrase describing the specific hazard (e.g., “Highly flammable liquid and vapor,” “Fatal if swallowed,” “Causes severe skin burns”).
• Precautionary Statement: Advises on measures to take to prevent exposure or improper handling (e.g., “Keep container tightly closed,” “Wear protective gloves”). 

2. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) 

The SDS provides comprehensive, detailed information on a chemical’s properties and safe handling procedures. It is typically available from the manufacturer, importer, or supplier. Key sections to review include: 

• Section 1 (Identification): Product and supplier information.
• Section 2 (Hazard Identification): Lists all potential physical and health hazards and the applicable GHS classification and pictograms.
• Section 4 (First-Aid Measures): Outlines procedures in case of exposure.
• Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection): Specifies required personal protective equipment (PPE) and exposure limits. 

3. Consider Physical and Health Effects

A chemical is legally considered hazardous if it presents a physical or health hazard. These properties include: 

• Physical Hazards: Flammability, explosivity, reactivity (e.g., reacts violently with water), or being a compressed gas.
• Health Hazards: Toxicity (acute or chronic), carcinogenicity, corrosivity, or ability to cause irritation or sensitization. 

By using labels and SDSs, you can quickly and reliably identify chemical hazards and take the necessary precautions to handle them safely. If you are ever unsure about a chemical’s hazards, contact the manufacturer, supplier, or your local safety authority for clarification.

To determine the Biosafety Level (BSL) of an organism, you should consult official national and international guidelines and databases. The determination is based on the organism’s associated risk group (RG), determined by its pathogenicity, severity of disease, and availability of preventative measures or treatments. 

Key Resources

The primary resources for the U.S. and many other countries are:

• “Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories” (BMBL): Published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this is the authoritative document that defines the four BSLs and provides agent summary statements for many specific organisms.
• ABSA International Risk Group Database: The American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) maintains an online database that lists a wide range of biological agents and their assigned risk groups based on various international guidelines (e.g., U.S., Canada, EU).
• Public Health Agency of Canada’s ePATHogen: This database provides the risk group classifications for human and animal pathogens according to Canadian guidelines.
• WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual (LBM): The World Health Organization provides international guidance, which has shifted focus to a risk assessment-based approach, but still uses risk groups as a foundational concept. 

The Risk Assessment Process

If a specific organism is not explicitly listed, or if the nature of the work changes the risk profile, a formal biological risk assessment must be performed: 

1. Identify the Agent’s Hazardous Characteristics: This involves assessing its ability to cause disease (pathogenicity), disease severity, transmission routes, infectious dose, stability in the environment, and host range.
2. Identify Laboratory Procedure Hazards: Consider the specific activities planned (e.g., handling open cultures, using sharps, procedures that generate aerosols), as these can increase the risk of exposure.
3. Determine the Appropriate BSL: A biosafety professional or committee selects the BSL based on the identified risks and available safety measures (lab practices, safety equipment, facility design). The BSL chosen must ensure appropriate containment to protect laboratory personnel, the community, and the environment. 

Ultimately, the determination of the appropriate BSL is made by institutional biosafety professionals or a Biosafety Committee (IBC), using the official guidelines and expert judgment to ensure safety. 

You generally need to get written consent in situations involving significant risks, legal liabilities, sensitive personal information, or when required by specific laws and institutional policies. 

Here are the primary areas where written consent is typically required:

Healthcare and Medical Procedures

• Surgery and Invasive Procedures: For all major medical procedures, surgeries, and treatments involving significant risk, written informed consent is mandatory to ensure the patient understands the potential outcomes and consequences.
• Specific Tests: Tests with significant social or emotional implications, such as HIV testing, often require a specific written consent form.
• Disclosure of Medical Records: Releasing a patient’s protected health information to third parties generally requires explicit written permission, as per privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA in the US, POPIA in South Africa).
• Treatment of Minors (Non-Emergency): Unless it is a life-threatening emergency, a parent or legal guardian’s written consent is required for the medical treatment of a minor (typically under 18 years old, although age varies by region). 

Research and Academic Settings

• Human Subject Research: Any research involving human participants (including collecting biological samples, genetic material, or personal data) requires a signed, dated, and written informed consent form.
• Vulnerable Populations: Special considerations and specific written consent protocols are necessary when research involves vulnerable individuals such as children, prisoners, or those with diminished mental capacity.
• Recording of Subjects: If audio or video recordings/photographs of a participant are made, a separate section in the written consent form must outline how these recordings will be used and handled. 

Legal and Business Matters

• Contracts and Agreements: While not all agreements require written form, significant contracts, such as real estate transactions, loan agreements, and employment contracts, typically need written consent for legal enforceability and clarity.
• Use of Personal Data: Under privacy regulations like the POPI Act, while not always the default, explicit, often written, consent is required for specific uses of personal information, such as direct electronic marketing or processing a child’s information.
• Recording Conversations: In many jurisdictions, recording a conversation without the written consent of at least one of the parties involved is unlawful.
• Parental Consent for Travel/Activities: Minors traveling internationally without both parents/guardians, or participating in certain school/extracurricular events, often need a formal, sometimes notarized, written consent letter. 

In summary: While verbal or implied consent may suffice for routine, low-risk interactions, written consent is crucial for documentation and legal protection when the situation involves significant potential harm, liability, or the handling of sensitive information. When in doubt, obtaining a clear, written consent is the “gold standard” for authorization.

Students who will be participating in a group for Virtual Final, must note that the payment for registration works per artwork / performance/ project.

Students who will be participating in a group for Global Final, must note that the payment for registration works per applicant and not per artwork / performance/ project. Meaning each participant in the group is expected to pay their own registration fee.

The official rules state: “Participants can register more than one category for the virtual final, however they will only be allowed to register one category in the global final round regardless of whether they qualify in more than one category”.

You will know you have been selected for the iWISE Global Final in two ways: 

1. Email Notification: The iWISE committee will send an email to each qualifying participant confirming their selection.
2. Official Announcement: The list of finalists will be announced publicly by the iWISE committee.

Next Steps After Qualification

Once you know you have qualified, you must:

• Complete your registration and submit payment online via the iWISE website to secure your place in the Global Final.
• If you are part of a group project, each member must register and pay individually.
• Bring a hard copy or prototype of your project/artwork to the physical exhibition during the Global Final. 

The primary qualification criterion for the iWISE Olympiad Global Finals is to have been awarded a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal in one of the official preceding qualification rounds. 

Steps to Qualify and Participate

1. Participate in a Qualification Round: You must first enter and compete in a Virtual Final, National Final, or Regional Final.
2. Earn a Medal: The judges in the qualification rounds select the best and brightest participants to move on. All who receive a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal automatically qualify for the Global Final.
3. Complete Registration: Medallists must then complete the registration process for the Global Final via the iWISE website and pay the associated fees to secure their place.
4. Prepare for Exhibition: Qualified finalists are required to bring a hard copy or prototype of their project or artwork with them to the physical Global Final venue for the exhibition and final judging. 

Yes, it is possible for your parent to attend the iWISE Global Finals.

In fact, if a participant is younger than 16 years old, they are required to travel to the Global Final venue under the supervision of an adult, such as a parent or guardian. Participants aged 16 years or older may travel on their own, but parents are still welcome to accompany them, but parents cannot stay at campus with their children, they must attend iWISE Parent Programme that staying at hotel.

Only students and teachers can stay at campus to attend participant trip programme.

The iWISE Global Final registration fee for participants (students, teachers and guests) covers a comprehensive package during their stay at the event location. The coverage includes: 

• Accommodation: Typically, 6 days of accommodation in en-suite rooms on a university campus.
• Meals: Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
• Transportation: All local transportation, including group pick-up and drop-off at the airport.
• Activities: Entrance fees for all planned tourist attractions and events.
• Visa Support: The committee provides necessary visa support documents like invitation letters and proof of accommodation/meals/transportation. 

What is Not Covered

The registration fee does not cover:

• Flight Tickets/Itinerary: Participants are responsible for booking and paying for their own flights to the host city.
• Visa Expenses: Costs associated with obtaining a visa are not included.
• Personal Spending Money: Any personal expenses or spending money are the participant’s responsibility.
• Accommodation for Extra Nights: Any accommodation needed outside the official event dates is not covered.

iWISE is accredited and certified by CATS Colleges, a respected group of international educational institutions. CATS Global Schools has locations in the UK, USA, and China

 The University of Surrey serves as a prominent host and venue for the iWISE Olympiad Global Final in London. 

The relationship can be summarized as follows:

• Hosting Venue: The University of Surrey is where the iWISE Global Finals events take place. This includes the exhibition of projects, judging sessions, and related activities.
• Not an Accreditor: While the university hosts the event, it is important to note that the iWISE Olympiad itself is an independent competition organized by Oscar Education Ltd UK. The university provides the physical location and facilities, but the competition is accredited and certified by a separate entity, CATS Colleges. 

The collaboration highlights the university’s commitment to supporting global innovation and providing a platform for young minds to showcase their talents in a professional academic setting. 

The iWISE Olympiad has a collaborative relationship with the International Movement for Leisure Activities in Science and Technology (MILSET) Organisation. 

iWISE is proud to collaborate with MILSET, a global youth organization dedicated to fostering a scientific culture and innovation through high-quality science and technology programs in many countries across the globe since 1987. 

This collaboration indicates:

• Shared Goals: Both organizations aim to promote youth engagement in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) activities and foster global cooperation among young people.
• Networking: The collaboration likely provides iWISE participants with access to a broader international network and potential opportunities to participate in other MILSET-related events and activities, such as regional and international Expo-Sciences.
• Recognition: The affiliation with MILSET, a long-standing international non-governmental organization with consultative status at the UN and UNESCO, lends credibility and international standing to the iWISE Olympiad. 

Essentially, iWISE aligns with MILSET’s mission to encourage scientific and technical education in leisure time and promotes international cooperation and innovation among students worldwide. 

The iWISE Olympiad is a multi-stage international competition designed to showcase the creativity and innovation of students aged 10-24 in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Art, and Talent categories. 

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the iWISE Olympiad works:

Stage 1: Qualification Rounds (Virtual, National, or Regional Finals) 

Participants must first qualify for the Global Final by competing in one of the preliminary rounds: 

• Virtual Finals: Participants submit their projects online.
• National/Regional Finals: These events are often run by local partners or organizations in various countries. 

In these rounds, projects are evaluated by a panel of judges. 

Stage 2: Selection and Notification

• Medal Criteria: Participants who are awarded a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal in a qualification round automatically secure a place in the Global Final.
• Notification: Successful participants are notified of their selection via email, and the results are announced publicly. 

Stage 3: Registration for the Global Final

Qualifying participants must then:

• Complete the registration process on the iWISE website.
• Pay the required registration fee to confirm their attendance.
• Note: Even if a participant qualifies with multiple entries, they may only register one entry for the Global Final.

Stage 4: The Global Final Event

The final stage is an in-person event, typically hosted at a major academic institution (such as the University of Surrey in the UK).

• Exhibition and Judging: Participants must bring a hard copy, prototype, or physical representation of their project to an exhibition. Judges will assess the projects and interview the participants during this event.
• Activities: The Global Final is not just a competition; it includes a full schedule of educational activities, cultural exchange programs, tourist visits, workshops, and social events. The registration fee covers accommodation, meals, and local transport for these activities.
• Award Ceremony: The event concludes with an awards ceremony where the final winners are announced and receive certificates and medals. 

The general criteria for the iWISE Art Category center on originality, creativity, technical skill, and effective communication of a concept or theme. While specific subcategories (like Architecture, Drawing/Painting, Photography, etc.) have unique requirements, the overarching evaluation standards are consistent across the board. 

Core Judging Criteria

Judges typically score entries based on the following key areas:

• Originality and Creativity: The uniqueness of the core idea and the innovative application of concepts and materials are highly valued. The artwork should reflect the student’s personal voice and vision.
• Technical Skill/Quality of Execution: This criterion assesses the proficiency and craftsmanship in using the chosen medium (e.g., proper use of color and composition in painting, focus and exposure in photography, technical proficiency of architectural models).
• Communication of Vision/Impact: The artwork’s ability to effectively communicate its intended message, narrative, or emotional impact to the viewer is crucial. A clear artist’s statement or abstract is required to explain the intent, inspiration, and creative process.
• Relevance of Theme (if applicable): Some categories or specific years may have an optional or mandatory theme. In such cases, the work is judged on how well it aligns with and interprets the given topic. 

General Requirements

In addition to the judging criteria, all art category entries must adhere to general submission requirements: 

• Original Work: All entries must be the original, sole creation of the participant(s). The use of copyrighted materials, clip art, or stock photos is prohibited.
• Appropriate Content: All artwork must be appropriate for public viewing by all ages and suitable for a family audience. Lewd, violent, or politically/religiously explicit content is not allowed.
• Physical Submission: For the Global Final, participants are required to bring a hard copy or prototype of their artwork for the physical exhibition and a second round of judging.
• Supporting Information: Participants must provide a written abstract, background information, or portfolio that explains the purpose, interpretation, creative process, and what they wished to accomplish with their artwork.
• Presentation: At the Global Final exhibition booth, the work’s title, the finalist’s name, country name, and flag must be visibly displayed. 

The general criteria for judging in the iWISE Olympiad Talent Category focus on four main areas: originality and creativity, technical skill, stage presence, and overall entertainment value/presentation quality. 

These criteria are applied across various subcategories, such as Performing Arts (dance, music, acting, magic tricks, etc.), Public Speaking, and Marketing.

Core Judging Criteria for the Talent Category

• Originality and Creativity: Judges look for the uniqueness of the performance concept, innovative approaches to performance techniques, choreography, or artistic expression. The entry should showcase the participant’s personal artistic vision.
• Technical Skill/Execution Quality: This assesses the proficiency and mastery of the specific talent. For music, it might be the accuracy of notes and rhythm; for dance, the quality of movement; for public speaking, the use of voice and enunciation.
• Stage Presence/Audience Engagement: The participant’s confidence, command of the stage, ability to interact with the audience, and overall delivery are evaluated. The performance should be engaging and captivating.
• Presentation Quality/Communication: This encompasses the overall preparedness and polish of the act. For public speaking, this includes speech construction and the message conveyed. For performing arts, it involves appropriate costumes and the effective use of props. 

Specific Category Requirements

• Performance Time Limits: Most performances have a maximum duration of around 5 minutes, with point deductions for exceeding the limit.
• Supporting Materials: Participants are typically required to submit a brief description or abstract of their performance or project beforehand.
• Originality of Work: Entries must be the original work of the participant(s).
• Dress Code: Participants must wear appropriate costumes or follow the competition’s dress code. 

Ultimately, the judges are looking for well-prepared, engaging, and innovative performances that effectively tell a story, communicate a message, or simply entertain the audience. 

The general criteria for the iWISE Olympiad STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) category focus on the scientific rigor of the research, the innovativeness of the solution, and the participant’s ability to communicate their findings effectively. 

Judges evaluate projects based on the following core areas:

1. Scientific Thought and Investigation (Methodology)

Judges assess the clarity of the problem statement, the proper application of the scientific method, the thoroughness of the project including data collection and analysis, and the student’s recognition of potential errors or limitations. They may also review project notes and logbooks. 

2. Creativity and Originality (Innovation)

This area evaluates the uniqueness of the project’s concept or approach, the ingenuity demonstrated in the design or experimental setup, and the practical application of scientific principles to address a real-world problem. 

3. Communication and Presentation

Criteria include the organization and clarity of written materials, such as reports and abstracts. Judges also evaluate the effectiveness of the visual display and the student’s ability to clearly present their project, demonstrate understanding, and respond to questions during the oral presentation and interview. 

4. Overall Impact and Understanding

This category considers the knowledge gained by the student, the potential societal relevance and impact of the project, and whether the project primarily represents the student’s own work or effective collaboration in group projects. 

For the Global Final, a second round of judging requires participants to have a physical prototype or a hard copy of their project. 

The iWISE iTECH category evaluates projects based on a combination of functionality, technical proficiency, creativity, and the clarity of the project presentation. 

The category focuses on creative applications of technology, with subcategories including: 

Core Judging Criteria

Judges typically score entries on the following key areas:

• Functionality and Effectiveness: This assesses how well the project works and whether it effectively and efficiently solves the intended problem or achieves its stated objectives.
• Technical Complexity and Proficiency: Judges evaluate the level of technical skill demonstrated, which includes the complexity of algorithms, system design, or the use of software tools appropriate to the participant’s age and experience.
• Originality of Concept and Creativity: This criterion measures the uniqueness of the idea, the innovative approach to problem-solving, and the imaginative use of technology to express an idea or create a new invention.
• Code Quality and Documentation (for software/programming): The code should be well-written, clear, logically structured, and well-documented to explain design choices. For other subcategories, appropriate documentation or a portfolio explaining the creative process is required.
• Presentation and Communication: The ability to clearly and confidently explain the project’s purpose, methodology, and results, both in written materials (abstract, poster) and during the oral presentation/interview, is crucial.
• Practicality and User Friendliness (for software/apps): Judges consider how easy the application is to use and its practical application in the real world.
• Visual Appeal (for Computer Art/Graphic Design/Film/Games): The aesthetic quality, design philosophy, and visual clarity of the output are evaluated. 

For the Global Final, participants are required to present a working prototype or hard copy of their project for hands-on evaluation by the judges. 

The judging criteria for the iWISE English Category are based on the specific subcategory (e.g., Public Speaking or Creative Writing), but generally focus on clarity of expression, creativity, technical correctness, and the effectiveness of communication. 

The category focuses on creative applications of English language, with subcategories including: 

• Creative Writing
• Public Speaking
• Debating
• Performing Arts
• Spelling Bee

Public Speaking Category Criteria

For the Public Speaking category, judges evaluate the following:

• Content and Relevance: The speech must be relevant to an announced theme. Judges assess the significance and originality of the thought and how well the message is structured.
• Delivery and Presentation: This includes the speaker’s appearance, poise, confidence, eye contact, and gestures. The effective use of voice pitch, enunciation, speed, and emphasis are also key.
• Speech Construction: A strong introduction, logical development of main points (body), and a clear, lasting conclusion are vital to attract attention and leave an unambiguous message.
• Language and Diction: The appropriate use of vocabulary, avoidance of jargon, and the overall clarity of the language used are considered.
• Adherence to Rules: Time limits must be observed (typically between 2 and 5 minutes), and participants cannot use visual or written aids during the speech itself. 

Creative Writing Category Criteria

For the Creative Writing category, judges look for entries that demonstrate:

• Clarity and Originality of Expression: The uniqueness of the ideas presented and the creativity of the artistic quality and relevance to the theme.
• Structure and Organization: The development of the plot, characters, and overall structure of the writing is evaluated.
• Effective Language Control: Judges assess the extent to which the writing exhibits effective control of tone, diction, sentence length variation, and how it effectively conveys ideas.
• Audience Impact: The ability of the writing to create mental images for the reader, involve them in the story, and leave a lasting impression. 

Overall, the iWISE English category is designed to test participants’ proficiency in English language skills, their creative potential, and their ability to express themselves powerfully and effectively.

The specific percentage distribution of medals among all participants in the Virtual Finals is as follows:

• Gold Medal: Awarded to approximately 10% of participants.
• Silver Medal: Awarded to approximately 30% of participants.
• Bronze Medal: Awarded to approximately 40% of participants.

What is the medal ranking for iWISE Global Finals?

In the iWISE Global Finals, participants are awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals based on their performance in the final exhibition and judging. 

The distribution of these medals at the Global Finals is determined by performance within each main category (Art, Talent, STEM, iTECH, Robotics and English), with approximately: 

• 10% of participants receiving per main category and according to age division a Gold medal
• 30% of participants receiving per main category and according to age division a Silver medal
• 40% of participants receiving per main category and according to age division a Bronze medal

Is there grand cash prize for iWISE Global Finals?

Yes, there is a grand cash prize awarded to the overall top achievers at the iWISE Global Finals. (Grand cash prize is for per team/submission not per person in a team.)

Top Achievers per main category

• 1st Position/Top Position: £300 cash prize
• 2nd Position: £200 cash prize
• 3rd Position: £100 cash prize